TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
Instructor: Professor Simon Hakim
Tues, Thurs 11-12:20, Anderson Room 2.
Office: Ritter Hall Annex R.815, Tel (215) 204-5037
E-mail: hakim@temple.edu
Macroeconomic Principles (Econ. 1101)
Office hours are Tue and Thurs 9:30—10:40 or by appointment.
Text:
Schiller, Bradley R. The Macro Economy Today, McGraw Hill, New York.
Twelfth edition, 2010.
Schiller, Bradley R. Study Guide to Accompany Schiller: The Macro Economy
Today, McGraw Hill, New York. Twelfth edition.
ECON 1101: Macroeconomics The course will examine the
a. interaction of households, business, government, and foreign sector in
the market economy.
b. determination of national income, employment, and prices.
c. origins and role of money and financial institutions in a national
economy.
d. influence of government on macroeconomic activity through
monetary and fiscal policy.
e. impact of the world economy on relevant domestic variables.
Objectives of the Course:
 To introduce the principles of macroeconomics to the level where students
will understand analytical articles in leading international economic
newspapers and magazines.
 To bring students into the habit of reading on a regular basis national
newspapers with emphasis on economic issues.
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 To teach students to make public presentations on economic news using
Power Point.
Required Reading:
Friedman, Milton and Rose, 1980. Free to Choose, Avon Books, New York.
Exams:
Two exams will take place. The class will be notified a week in advance about the
date of the exam. The first exam will include chapters 1 through 5, -Final exam
chapters 6 through 15 or as notified by the instructor, and the Friedman book. Each
exam will include material, which was covered since the earlier exam. Each exam
includes:
-- The material from the text and the instructor's lectures.
-- End of chapter and study guide questions.
-- Current economic issues.
-- The Friedman book (Just in the final exam).
Additional requirements:
It is recommended that students read the chapter before class. After class, students
should concentrate on solving questions from the study guide(s). The entire book
by Friedman should be read through the semester. Questions on the book will be
part of the final exam.
The instructor will notify at the end of each class about the chapter(s) in the book
and additional readings required for the next class. At the beginning of each class
following the “What’s New” period, students are encouraged to raise questions on
unclear questions from the above sources and/or from the lecture.
Course requirements include reading the book Free to Choose By Milton and Rose
Friedman.
It is suggested that students start reading Friedman's book
IMMEDIATELY at the beginning of the semester.
At the beginning of each class we will spend 10 to 20 minutes discussing current
economic topic and its relation to economic theory. Students are required to read on
a regular basis an economic newspaper and/or magazine. The presentation must be
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based on an article that both describes and analyzes an economic current event or
trend. Review of an article that merely describes an event is unacceptable. The
presentation must be in an orderly fashion including both the description and
analysis of such economic news. It is highly recommended to make a PowerPoint
Presentation. However, presenters are required not to read their notes or slides
while presenting but rather speak freely to the class. The objectives are to acquaint
the other students on a current macroeconomic event and also learn how to make
effective presentations. Groups of 2-4 students should make the presentations while
all members of the group present in class. All individuals will be graded on their
presentations. Non-preparation may lead to a failing grade depending upon the
instructor’s discretion.
The grade in the course will consist of the entire performance of the student
including exams, participation in class discussions, and the presentation of
economic news.
Students are required to attend all meetings. Participation in class is part of the
grade and the instructor reserves the right to assign additional work while class is
in session. In case of absence from class, students are required to contact another
student in to learn about possible requirements. Non-attendance is no excuse for
unfulfilled requirements.
It is also required that students are in class before the assigned time and do not walk
out of class. Late appearance and early departure are very disruptive to the conduct
of the class. Students that will do so in a repeated manner and without the instructor
permission are requested NOT to attend and their grade will be noted.
Students are requested not to eat in class. Beverages are allowed but NO food.
Thank you very much for adhering to these requests.
Final grade is determined as follows:
Participation in class discussion, and HW
10 percent
Presenting an economic current event
20
Exams
70
Total
100 Percent
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Chapters covered in class:
Chapters 1 through 15 will be covered in the order of the book. The instructor
preserves the right to extend discussion beyond the scope of the textbook, and
require knowledge of such material on the exams.
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